New job: Watching special needs child. I think im getting underpaid.?

Question

I found a nanny gig on craigslist. From the beginning he told me I'd be making $350 a week. I have to be here at 6:30 in the morning, and dont get to leave until 5-5:30. Doing all the math with the hours I make Im aware its less than minimum wage. But its not a real job with W-2 forms so that explains it. It is twenty miles just to get there and takes me 45 minutes in the morning. Im spending so much in gas. Im watching a ten and thirteen year old girls. The thing the single father failed to mention is that the thirteen year old is special needs. Which makes the job a little more difficult, considering she hardly listens to anything I say. I just dont think Im making a lot at all. And Ive been doing research I should be making a lot more considering that the one girl is a special needs child. I know it is not a hard job. But I spend half my day here and I dont want to keep the job if its really not worth the money and gas. How should I bring it up to him that im not making enough.

Answer 1

I would find another job annd tell them to contact they're local board of mrdd for help with the little girl.

Answer 2

You can tell him you don't make enough just to see if he'll give you more, but I really doubt he'll give you more.

It's probably better to just quit.

Answer 3

Just tell the father that you'd like to speak with him privately so you'll have his full attention, and then tell him exactly what you told us- you're earning less than minimum wage, so you could easily earn more if you were to get a different job, and you're spending a lot on gas driving back and forth each day because of the 45 minutes in the car.  

If you're enjoying the job, tell him that, and let him know that you'd like to stay, but that you're not sure how long you can keep on going  with the money you're currently earning.  If he's pleased with the job you're doing, it will be worth it for him to increase your pay.  (Have a number in mind in case he asks you what you'd like to be making.)  

However, before you approach this, think about it and make sure that you'd like to keep doing this.  If not, don't go and get a pay raise from him and then just walk out a month or two from now- that won't make him a good reference for your next job!  If you're not interested in staying, tell him that, and let him look for someone new before you leave.